Showing people Christ at Christmas! and Gingerbread Cupcakes!!! yummmmm

Christmas is my favorite time!! Everything about it! The reality of the reason we celebrate Christmas, and celebrate life in general!!!  We can't let our self get so wrapped up in decorating(which i am guilty of!!), and the lights and presents and plays and musicals, CRAFT SHOWS, that we do not stop to think about those around us that maybe we have never even made an effort to talk to, or even introduce ourself! What better time than to do something special for those people, like our neighbors that live on our street, the janitor at your highschool, the cleaning people at your office building or that couple in your sunday school class you have never spoken to, or just anyone that you know specifically that may be having a really hard time, in finances, loss of a loved one, or just that bitter person, or the one who does not know the Lord.  So many oppurtunities ALL AROUND us to show Christ's love.  It could be something so cheesy as cupcakes for your neighbors with a little note with your name and phone number letting them know to call you if they ever need anything.  There are a TON of ways to witness to someone with out getting all up in their Kool-aid and end up pushing them away for good! Christ is literally the reason for EVERY SEASON! every day and every minute!


CUPCAKE TIME!!!!



                                         




Gingerbread Cupcake Recipe with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting



makes about 12 cupcakes

Cupcakes

225 g golden Brown Sugar

3 Eggs, room temp.

225 g Flour, all purpose

1 T (12g) Baking Powder

1/2 t (2 g) Baking Soda

2 1/2 T freshly grated Cinnamon or 2 T (10 g) pre-ground Cinnamon

1 T freshly grated Ginger or 1 t (2g) ground Ginger Powder

1/2 t (1g) ground Cloves

1 t (2g) ground Cardamom

1/2 t (2g) Sea Salt

3/4 c (180 g) Unsalted Butter, melted

2/3 c (160 ml) Half & Half

1/4 c (60 ml) fresh Tangerine Juice

Frosting

12 oz (340 g) Cream Cheese, room temp.

6 T (90 g) unsalted Butter, room temp.

2/3 c (160 ml) pure Maple Syrup

1 1/4 c (150 g)Powdered Sugar or to personal taste

sprinkle of ground cinnamon

Make cupcakes:

1. Line muffin tins with baking cups. Preheat oven to 375º F.



2. Whip brown sugar and eggs together until nice & foamy.



3. Put flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon (if using pre-ground), ginger (if using ginger powder), cloves and cardamom into a sifter together. Sift over egg mixture. Add fresh ginger and freshly grated cinnamon if you’re not using the pre-ground varieties. Add sea salt. Gently stir to combine.



4. Combine the melted butter and half & half, then slowly add to the batter. Put batter in a small pitcher or something that’s easy to pour out of; the fill baking cups 90% full.



5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted. Set aside to cool.



Make frosting:

1. Combine cream cheese and butter together in a mixing bowl. Beat until smooth (Alternate method- combine in a food processor and blend.) Add maple syrup and powdered sugar and mix until homogenous.



Finishing

1. If using optional inebriation, combine alcohol & tangerine juice, poke a few holes on the top of each cupcake with a toothpick, then brush on alcohol mix.



2. Frost cupcakes your favorite way. Pipe it, spread & spoon it, combinations of both, however you like.



3. Sprinkle a touch of cinnamon to finish.



NO CRAFT FOR TODAY, ALMOST TIME TO LEAVE WORK AND HEAD TO CLASS! (HAH YEA IM GETTING ALOT DONE!)

ONE THING I DO WANNA MENTION IS OLD HICKORY CANDLES!!  IT'S NOT CANDLES THO, IT'S CANDLE WAX TARTS THAT YOU PUT IN A WARMER!! THEY SMELL SOOOO DIVINE!!! NOT EVEN KIDDING I JUST ORDERED A TON! 99c EACH!! HERE IS THE LINK TO THEIR EBAY STORE. THEY ARE BASED OUT OF WHERE I LIVE IN HENDERSONVILLE TN.

http://stores.ebay.com/Old-Hickory-Candles


TRIED TO POST A PIC OF THE TARTS WOULDN'T LET ME.

OKAY PEACE!! HAVE A GREAT NIGHT!!!